- Founded
- 1948
- Students
- 14
- Programmes
- 2
About Lutherische Theologische Hochschule Oberursel
The Lutherische Theologische Hochschule Oberursel (LThH) is a small, state-recognised ecclesiastical university in Oberursel, Hessen, operated by the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK). Founded in 1948 as the successor to two earlier Lutheran seminaries (one in Breslau, one in Kleinmachnow), it was granted state recognition by the Hessian Ministry of Culture in 1955.
The institution offers two accredited degree programmes in Evangelical Theology: one leading to the church examination (Kirchliches Examen) for pastoral ministry within SELK, and one awarding the Magister/Magistra Theologiae. The curriculum covers the five classical theological disciplines - Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Systematic Theology, and Practical Theology - together with ancient languages (Hebrew, Greek, Latin) and supplementary fields including missiology, diaconal studies, and ecumenical theology.
With only around 14 enrolled students as of winter semester 2024/25 and five professors, LThH is among the smallest universities in Germany. Its campus in the Taunus foothills offers on-site residential accommodation and is connected to Frankfurt and Mainz by public transport.
One of Germany's smallest universities, with approximately 14 students and 5 full professors as of WS 2024/25
State-recognised ecclesiastical university founded in 1948 by the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK)
Two accredited programmes: Kirchliches Examen (pastoral ministry) and Magister/Magistra Theologiae
Member of the Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK) and the Evangelical-Theological Faculty Conference
Low tuition of €180/semester for main students; on-campus accommodation from €240/month
Located in Oberursel (Taunus), ~20 minutes by S-Bahn from Frankfurt am Main
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1948
- Students
- 14
- International
- No figure published. The university states 'there are many international students at the LThH' without giving a number; internationals arrive mainly through the exchange programme with partner Lutheran seminaries abroad and as Selnecker fellowship holders. With only ~14 enrolled main students (WS 2024/25), any percentage would be statistically meaningless.
- Faculties
- 5
- Programmes
- 2
Study programmes
2 accredited degrees at Lutherische Theologische Hochschule Oberursel.
Showing 1–2 of 2 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
Tuition for main enrolled students (Haupthörer) is €180 per semester - well below typical German university semester contributions. Additional fees include: initial enrolment €25, library fee €25/semester, AStA contribution €8/semester, and an optional RMV public-transit semester ticket (€217.80). On-campus housing is available from €240-€320/month (single rooms) or €500-€525/month (apartments), utilities included. No separate non-EU surcharge is published; the institution is eligible for German BAföG support.
Admission requirements
Admission requires the German Hochschulreife (Abitur) or an equivalent higher education entrance qualification. Both degree programmes are in German; a strong command of German is expected. International applicants from India, China, or Vietnam must hold an APS certificate before applying. Prospective students should contact the administration directly ([email protected]) for individual assessment, as the institution is very small and does not publish a formal online application portal.
Application deadlines
The LThH publishes no fixed application deadline. Applicants send an enrolment application with certified documents (higher education entrance qualification, CV, photos, proof of health insurance, proof of membership of a church); applications are reviewed continuously, and admission and enrolment follow the semester dates listed under 'Semestertermine'.
How international applicants apply
Direct church-based application, no uni-assist documented: foreign applicants are directed to the Studierendensekretariat ('please contact the Studierendensekretariat with any questions'), send an enrolment application with certified documents, and an official info sheet ('Informationen fuer auslaendische Studienbewerber') covers the requirements; admission prerequisites (Allgemeine Hochschulreife or equivalent, possible recognition of multi-semester theology study completed abroad) are checked case by case. Exchange students come via LThH's partner-seminary exchange programme; the Nikolaus-Selnecker scholarship targets students of other Lutheran churches. No online application portal or uni-assist procedure appears in the published information.
Languages of instruction
German (all programmes taught in German; ancient-language courses in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin are part of the curriculum)
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Student accommodation
What Lutherische Theologische Hochschule Oberursel publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageCampuses & locations
Altkönigstraße 150, 61440 Oberursel (Taunus), Hessen - single residential campus with student accommodation
Living in Oberursel
Oberursel (Taunus) is a town of approximately 47,000 residents in the Hochtaunuskreis district, situated about 12 km north of Frankfurt am Main. It lies at the foot of the Taunus hills and is well connected to Frankfurt by S-Bahn (S5 line, ~20 minutes). The town offers a quiet, residential character compared to the nearby city, with access to hiking trails in the Taunus nature park.
Student life & support
Campus life is shaped by the institution's church character: regular Lutheran worship services, theological seminars open to the public, and a close-knit community of staff and students sharing living and learning spaces. On-campus residential halls foster daily interaction. The small cohort size means intensive mentoring and direct access to professors. Frankfurt am Main is easily reachable for broader cultural and social activities.
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